ISLAMABAD-UNS:
A meeting of the Pakistan–Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group, convened by Senator Khalida Ateeb, was held today at Parliament House. The meeting was attended by High Commissioner of Australia, H.E. Neil Hawkins, along with Second Secretary Charlie Lyons-Jones. Senators Masroor Ahsan, Rubina Qaim Khani, Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Advisor to Chairman Senate, Ms. Misbah Khar, also participated.
Senator Khalida Ateeb and other members warmly welcomed the Australian delegation and emphasized the need to strengthen institutional linkages through increased parliamentary exchanges, trade, education cooperation, and expertise sharing in areas such as agriculture, waste management, and climate adaptation. Senator Ateeb highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation in recycling and environmental sustainability, drawing from successful Australian models. Advisor to Chairman Senate, Ms. Misbah Khar, invited Australian mining companies to invest in Pakistan, noting the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in supporting foreign investments.
Senator Rubina Qaim Khani called for enhancing bilateral trade, strengthening cooperation in waste management and recycling, and addressing delays in family reunion visas. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt stressed the need to promote Pakistan’s peaceful image through political and media exchanges and emphasized the importance of structured communication to counter misinformation. Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan offered to connect Australian experts with agricultural universities in southern Punjab, while Senator Masroor Ahsan highlighted Pakistan’s constructive global role and expressed willingness to work together to address migrant concerns.
High Commissioner Neil Hawkins reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and shared ongoing collaborative efforts in key sectors including agriculture, education, and skill development. He emphasized Australia’s focus on climate resilience and gender equity, highlighting initiatives such as support for girls’ education and sports, particularly cricket and hockey, as well as efforts to empower women through leadership opportunities and workplace protections. He further noted that over 11,000 visas were issued last year and acknowledged challenges related to documentation and asylum claims. He assured that Australia remains committed to streamlining processes and ensuring equitable access across Pakistan’s regions.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to further parliamentary collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, and shared development
